7 Summer Basics You Can Wear All Season Without Getting Bored

By Swedan MargenJune 19, 2025

On the left a woman wearing a plaid trench coat, straw bag, and jeans. In the middle, a woman wearing a backless black top and jeans. On the right, a woman wearing a white lace top, white tie-waist trousers, and black strappy sandals.

Fact: Feeling comfortable and confident in your basics is the secret to looking effortlessly chic. When shopping for summer basics, I look for pieces that pique my interest—aka items I can mix and match with what I already own in silhouettes that make me feel good and look good. I've found that collecting quality pieces that you love and will reach for time and time again ensures you’ll have a closet full of summer staples that not only last all season long but also make getting dressed a joy.

Below, I’ve made a shoppable list of the seven summer basics I always come back to: open-back tops, romantic lace slip skirts, strappy sandals, boatneck tops, slouchy linen trousers, polished poplin dresses, and, of course, oversize totes. And as always, I’ve included some chic outfit ideas for your inspiration.

Open-Back Tops

A woman wearing jeans and backless black top with black pointed-toe kitten heels.

My signifier that summer's arrived? A backless top. Its existence is proof that summer style can be cute and comfy. Here are a few of my favorite open-back moments.

Shop the Open-Back Styles

Out From Under

Essential Cotton Compression Apron Cami

Reformation

Cairo Knit Top

ZARA

Open-Back Halter Top

Princess Polly

Baseline Rib Stretch Cotton Halter Top

A crisscross halter? So chic.

Lace Slip Skirts

A woman wearing a yellow slip skirt and a white halter top.

The soft, silky silhouette is a chic alternative to a tailored trouser or short, instantly elevating the look with elegance. A lace slip skirt is an essential summer basic—it adds contrast when paired with a boxy, oversize tee or serves as a seamless continuation of grace when styled with something equally fluid.

Shop the Skirts

Urban Outfitters

Kimchi Blue Addy Lace Trim Satin Slip Midi Skirt

J.Crew

Gwen Lace-Trim Slip Skirt in Textured Satin

J.Crew

Gwen Lace-Trim Slip Skirt in Linen

Anthropologie

The Tilda Knee-Length Slip Skirt: Scallop Lace Edition

Strappy Sandals

A woman wearing white tie-waist pants, lace top, and strappy black sandals.

Thin-strapped sandals and heels are having their moment this summer, and I couldn't be more on board. The '90s silhouette adds a dainty elegance to any look. Here are four sleek pairs I'm contemplating adding to my shoe collection…

Shop the Sandals

MANGO

Toe Loop Flat Sandal

ZARA

Flat Sandals With Metallic Detail

Dolce Vita

Leanna Slide Sandal

Circus NY by Sam Edelman

Rebecca Ankle Strap Sandal

Boatneck Tops

A woman wearing a linen boatneck blouse and black trousers.

A boatneck is my go-to for looking polished without trying too hard. The timeless silhouette shows the right amount of collarbone to look chic and sultry all at once. If there's one thing you shop from these basics, let it be these boatneck styles. I promise you won't regret it.

Shop the Styles

Reformation

Dusk Stretch Knit Top

Reformation

Hudson Knit Tank

The asymmetrical hem is so effortless.

Gap

Closeknit Jersey Boatneck Crop Tank Top

Almina Concept

Boat Neck Tank Top

Slouchy Linen Trousers

A woman wearing green flip flops, yellow linen trousers, and a green crewneck.

These nonchalant trousers are the epitome of effortlessly chic. Take a page out of French women's style playbook and shop these luxe-looking linen trousers.

Shop the Trousers

Gap

Linen-Blend Relaxed Straight Ankle Pants

MANGO

Straight Leg Linen Pants

Caslon

Drawstring Straight Leg Linen Pants

Madewell

The Easy Linen Pull-On Pants

J.Crew

New Soleil Pant in Linen

Oversize Totes

A woman wearing a plaid trench coat, a large woven bag, jeans, and black flip flops.

I don't know what I'd do without my ginormous tote—it's my life. The woven bag holds all my secrets (aka my countless lip liners and glosses). I'm fiercely loyal to my oversize bag collection and would never be caught with a mini baguette. Below are five ludicrously capacious bags currently on my wish list.

Shop the Totes

Madewell

Handwoven Leather Tote

Add on some bag charms and voila!

Madewell

The Handwoven Cane Tote

J.Crew

Large Handknotted Packable Tote Bag

Poplin Dresses

A woman wearing a white dress, baseball cap, and flip flops.

Poplin dresses are quickly rising in rank as my favorite summer style. I've rounded up five pretty summer dresses that will make your morning get-ready routine blissful and beautiful.